Robert Downey Jr. as Kirk Lazarus as Sgt. Osiris
Ever since I first saw the cast of Tropic Thunder, I knew it was going to be something interesting and entertaining at the very least. Then I saw the first picture with Robert Downey Jr. in blackface, and I knew it was going to be even moreso. Then the red band trailer came, and we had small asian children getting tossed by Ben Stiller and letting off wilhelm screams, Stiller playing Simple Jack, and Downey Jr. getting his Jefferson on, I knew we would have one of the most controversial and entertaining comedies around.
And I was right.
Tropic Thunder is a fantastic satire on Hollywood. It's raunchy, it's ridiculous, it's hilarious, and honestly, I'd be surprised if it wasn't mostly truthful. From the opening with the fake trailers to the ending with a special guest star bumping and grinding to Ludacris as the credits play, every single second was played up for a laugh. In a nearly two hour long movie, you'd think you would run into a lot of duds, but my face hurt afterwards from laughing so much. This is a truly hilarious movie.
It features what is a tie for my favorite line so far this year in any movie ("I'm a lead farmer, mother******!!!" which is tied with Pineapple Express' "Daewoo, bitch!"), top to bottom fantastic acting work (you name it, Jack Black, Jay Baruchel, Brandon T. Jackson, Nick Nolte, Stiller, Tom Cruise, Matthew McConaughey, and the unstoppable comic talent that is Danny McBride were all awesome), and one of the best comedic performances in I don't know how long by Robert Downey Jr.
An American actor playing an Australian method actor playing a black character who speaks a bizarro jive dialect heavily influenced by the Jefferson's and other pop culture. One who never drops the character even when in the most dire of situations. To say this acting job was fearless was an understatement. He became an overnight god because of Iron Man, he has the Oscar bait coming out with the Soloist, but if either gets anywhere near touching the performance he lays down as Kirk Lazarus, well, I'll be shocked.
This comes heavily recommended. Colver and I (not sure about Lorna) were pretty much dying the whole time. Also, remember: it's not offensive, it's satire. There is a difference, and the key to enjoying it all the way is to realize that one basic truth.
